When discussing discipline with the mother of a 4-year-old child, the nurse should include which instruction?

A) Children as young as 4 years old rarely need to be punished.
B) Parental control should be consistent.
C) Withdrawal of love and approval is effective at this age.
D) One should expect rules to be followed rigidly and unquestioningly.

For effective discipline, parents must be consistent and must follow through with agreed-on actions. Realistic goals should be set for this age group. Parents should structure the environment to prevent unnecessary difficulties. Requests for behavior change should be phrased in a positive manner to provide direction for the child. Withdrawal of love and approval is never appropriate or effective. Discipline strategies should be appropriate to the child's age, temperament, and severity of the misbehavior. Following rules rigidly and unquestioningly is beyond the developmental capabilities of a 4-year-old.